Love Him Or Hate Him: Barstool Founder Dave Portnoy Is Now Worth $100 Million

Lessie Kovacek DVM 20 Aug 2025

You know, it's almost a given that when you talk about certain figures in media, people have very strong feelings. Dave Portnoy, the person behind Barstool Sports, is definitely one of those people. His name, you see, often brings up a lot of talk, sometimes good, sometimes not so good. People, it seems, just can't help but have an opinion about him, and that's something that, in a way, makes him stand out.

For some folks, he's a genius, a business person who built something huge from nothing. They might admire his direct style and how he speaks his mind, no matter what. Others, however, might see him quite differently, perhaps finding his approach a bit much or disagreeing with things he has said or done. This mix of feelings, you know, is very common when someone gets to be as well-known as he is.

And now, there's a new piece of information that really gets people talking: Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, is now reportedly worth $100 million. That's a lot of money, obviously, and it shows just how much his company has grown and how successful his journey has been. So, let's take a look at how this all happened, from his early days to becoming a very wealthy person, and what makes people feel so strongly about him.

Biography of Dave Portnoy
Personal Details and Bio Data
The Early Days and the Birth of Barstool
Growing the Empire: Digital Dominance and Challenges
The Penn National Gaming Deal: A Game-Changing Moment
Portnoy's Public Persona and Charitable Efforts
The "Love Him or Hate Him" Phenomenon
What Comes Next for Dave Portnoy?
Frequently Asked Questions About Dave Portnoy

Biography of Dave Portnoy

David Scott Portnoy, a person many know as "El Presidente" or "Papi," came into the world in Swampscott, Massachusetts. He grew up in a place that, you know, shaped his early life quite a bit. After finishing high school, he went on to the University of Michigan, where he studied education. That's a bit of a surprise for someone who ended up in media, isn't it?

After college, he tried a few different jobs. He worked for a market research company for a while. This period, in some respects, might have given him some ideas about what people want and how to reach them. But, his true calling, it seems, was something else entirely. He had a vision, a pretty clear one, for a new kind of sports media.

He started Barstool Sports from his home, which is a rather humble beginning for such a big company. It began as a print newspaper, handed out for free around Boston. This early version was, you know, very focused on local sports betting advice and general sports talk. It was a very grassroots kind of operation, just a little something he put together himself.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	David Scott Portnoy
Known As	Dave Portnoy, El Presidente, Papi
Date of Birth	March 22, 1977
Birthplace	Swampscott, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality	American
Education	University of Michigan
Occupation	Media Personality, Businessman, Founder of Barstool Sports
Estimated Net Worth	$100 Million (as of recent reports)

The Early Days and the Birth of Barstool

So, the story of Barstool Sports really starts in 2003. Dave Portnoy, with, you know, a pretty simple idea, began publishing a free newspaper. This paper was mostly about fantasy sports predictions and general sports news. He would hand it out himself at train stations and around Boston. It was, arguably, a very hands-on way to get a business going.

The content was, basically, written in a very raw and unfiltered way. This style, you see, quickly found an audience among young men. It was different from what other sports media companies were doing at the time. It felt more like a conversation you'd have with your friends, which, you know, made it stand out.

As time went on, the internet started to become a much bigger thing. Portnoy, always one to spot a trend, realized that Barstool needed to move online. This shift, you know, was a really big step for the company. It allowed them to reach a much wider group of people, far beyond just Boston. This online presence, in a way, changed everything for them.

Growing the Empire: Digital Dominance and Challenges

Once Barstool Sports went online, it really started to take off. They built a website that, you know, became a hub for their unique content. They added blogs, podcasts, and videos, which, in some respects, helped them grow their audience even more. People were, apparently, very drawn to their mix of sports, pop culture, and humor.

But, with growth often comes challenges. Barstool Sports, you see, has faced its share of controversies over the years. Some of their content and, you know, some of the things Portnoy himself has said have drawn criticism. These moments, obviously, have led to public discussions and, at times, boycotts.

Despite these issues, the company kept growing. They expanded their reach, bringing in more writers and personalities. This expansion, in a way, made them a truly big player in the digital media world. They managed to keep their core audience, even as they faced scrutiny, which, you know, is quite something.

The Penn National Gaming Deal: A Game-Changing Moment

The biggest moment for Dave Portnoy's wealth, you know, came with the deal involving Penn National Gaming. In 2020, Penn National Gaming, a very large casino and racetrack operator, bought a 36% stake in Barstool Sports. This deal, you see, valued Barstool Sports at a lot of money, somewhere around $450 million at the time.

This was a huge turning point. It meant that Barstool, and Portnoy, had a powerful partner with a lot of resources. Penn National Gaming wanted to use Barstool's massive audience to help grow their sports betting business. It was, apparently, a smart move for both sides, bringing together media and gambling in a big way.

Then, in 2023, Penn National Gaming, which is now known as PENN Entertainment, bought the remaining shares of Barstool Sports. This purchase, you know, made Barstool a fully owned part of PENN. While Portnoy sold his company, he also, in some respects, got a significant amount of money from these deals, which is how his personal wealth grew so much. This transaction, you see, really cemented his financial standing.

Portnoy's Public Persona and Charitable Efforts

Dave Portnoy's public image is, obviously, a big part of who he is. He's known for his strong opinions and, you know, his very direct way of speaking. He often shares his thoughts on social media, which, you know, can sometimes get him into trouble but also keeps him very relevant. People, it seems, are always watching what he does.

Beyond the controversies, Portnoy also used his platform for good, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He started the Barstool Fund, which, you know, raised millions of dollars to help small businesses that were struggling. This effort, in a way, showed a different side of him, a more compassionate one.

He personally put in a lot of his own money to get the fund going. This act, you see, resonated with many people who were looking for ways to help their local businesses. It was, arguably, a very impactful initiative that made a real difference for many small business owners across the country.

The "Love Him or Hate Him" Phenomenon

The phrase "love him or hate him" really does describe how people feel about Dave Portnoy. It's not just a casual like or dislike; it's often a very intense feeling. This kind of strong emotion, you know, reminds us of how humans are social creatures who are deeply affected by others. The meaning of love, as we know, involves strong affection, arising out of kinship or personal ties, or even admiration. For some, their feeling for Portnoy might be a form of admiration for his business acumen or his directness, a kind of strong positive tie to his persona.

On the other hand, the "hate him" part points to equally strong, but negative, feelings. While hatred is not love, the sheer intensity of the emotion, the way it can characterize a person's view, mirrors the fundamental and complex human emotions we experience. Many people, you see, experience these strong feelings differently, whether it's deep admiration or profound disagreement. Portnoy, in some respects, has a unique ability to spark these powerful human responses, almost like a mirror to the diverse ways we feel about public figures.

This phenomenon, you know, is not just about him; it's also about how media figures can become symbols. People project their own views and values onto them. So, whether someone feels a strong sense of kinship with his brand or a strong sense of opposition, it's about the intensity of that feeling. It shows, you know, how public personalities can become central to broader discussions about culture and values. You can learn more about human emotions and their effects on our bodies on our site.

What Comes Next for Dave Portnoy?

With his wealth now firmly established, many people wonder what Dave Portnoy will do next. He still has a role at Barstool Sports, even though he no longer owns it completely. He continues to create content, which, you know, is a big part of his identity. His "One Bite Pizza Reviews" are still very popular, for example, and he keeps up with his other projects.

He has also shown an interest in investing in other businesses. Given his success with Barstool, you see, he has a lot of experience and, arguably, a good eye for what might work. It's possible he'll get involved in new ventures, perhaps in the media space or something completely different. The future, you know, is pretty open for him.

His influence, obviously, goes beyond just Barstool Sports. He has a huge following on social media, which, you know, gives him a platform to share his thoughts and opinions on many topics. So, whether he starts new companies or just keeps doing what he's doing, his presence in the public eye is, apparently, not going anywhere soon. What do you think his next big move might be? You can also check out this page for more insights into successful entrepreneurs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dave Portnoy

How did Dave Portnoy make his money?

Dave Portnoy, you know, made most of his money through the growth and eventual sale of Barstool Sports. He started the company as a free print newspaper in 2003 and later moved it online. The big money came when Penn National Gaming, now PENN Entertainment, bought a significant stake in Barstool in 2020 and then the remaining shares in 2023. This series of transactions, you see, greatly increased his personal wealth.

What is Barstool Sports worth?

When Penn National Gaming first bought a 36% stake in Barstool Sports in 2020, the company was valued at around $450 million. Later, when PENN Entertainment acquired the remaining shares in 2023, the valuation, you know, was likely higher, reflecting its continued growth and market position. It's a very valuable media brand, obviously, in the sports and entertainment world.

Does Dave Portnoy own Barstool Sports anymore?

No, Dave Portnoy does not own Barstool Sports anymore. As of February 2023, PENN Entertainment, which was formerly Penn National Gaming, fully acquired Barstool Sports. Portnoy, you see, sold his remaining shares to PENN, making the company a wholly owned subsidiary of the entertainment giant. He still works there, though, creating content and keeping his role as a public face for the brand.

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